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Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing Yearbook 2019

The 2019 edition of the Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Yearbook is available as a digital magazine. Links to individual articles are below.
Mark L. Michalski

Industry Remains Strong Amid Controversy, Anticipated Changes

September 9, 2019
Deloitte predicts the A&D industry will continue its growth trajectory in 2019, led by growing commercial aircraft production and strong defense spending. Reuters reported in mid-June that the “$150-billion-a-year commercial aircraft industry is entering a slowdown due to global pressures from trade tensions to flagging economies.”
Mark L. Michalski
By Mark L. Michalski 2019 SME President, SME Member Since 1992
five trends

Five Trends to Watch for This Year

September 6, 2019
The global aerospace and defense (A&D) business landscape is undergoing significant disruption driven by a keen focus on innovation and digital transformation, and geopolitical situations. Despite some future uncertainty, demand for commercial aerospace and defense in 2018 finished with a continued, upbeat industry outlook.
By John Kenkel VP of Strategy, Cyient

Outlook

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Tech View

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Aerospace Manufacturing

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Machines & Automation

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Smart Manufacturing

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.

Workforce

  • SMART SHOP ESSENTIALS

    The One Thing

    Will Healy, Universal Robots November 15, 2025
    Will Healy, global industry leader for welding at Universal Robots USA, offers some sound advice: You’re not alone.
  • NEWS DESK

    Boeing Workers OK 5-Year Contract

    Staff Writer November 14, 2025
    Unionized Boeing Co. machinists voted to end their 100-day walkout Thursday, approving a five-year contract that will see workers receive 24% pay increases and a $6,000 signing bonus.
  • ARTICLES

    How Midaco Pallet Changers Boost CNC Productivity and OEE

    Kip Hanson November 14, 2025
    Several decades ago, I purchased an SMW pallet changer for one of our shop’s Mori Seiki MV Junior Vertical Machining Centers. This glorious day for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) occurred many years before SMW’s various acquisitions and its board decided to depart the pallet changer business entirely, seemingly leaving just one provider: Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based Midaco. We had an opportunity to ask the company’s Vice President of Sales Mike Munao a few questions, starting with one we were unsure he would answer.